Fixed Bed and Fluidized Bed

Fixed bed and fluidized bed
Ref: BSL, McCabe & Smith
Why fixed (or fluidized) bed?
Expensive Catalyst
enzyme (immobilized)
Large Surface area
Used in reaction/adsorption/ elution (for example)
Goal: Expression for pressure drop, try some

examples
IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005
Fixed bed
Filled with particles

Usually not spherical
To increase surface area

To increase void fraction
To decrease pressure drop
For analytical calculation, assume all particles are

identical
Usable, because final formula can be modified by a

constant factor (determined by experiment)
Fixed bed
What are important parameters?

(For example, for adsorption of a protein from a
broth)
rate of adsorption (faster is better)

saturation concentration (more is better)
From the product requirement (eg X kg per day),

density and product concentration in broth ==>
volumetric flow rate
Fixed bed
Assume quick adsorption (rate of adsorption is high)

Calculate the surface area of particles needed for
operation
Sphericity <=> specific surface area <=> average particle diameter
Sphericity
Ap,
Vp
Volume of particle = Vp
Surface Area of particle = Ap
Surface Area of sphere of same volume (Vs =Vp) = As
Sphericity = As/Ap
May be around 0.3 for particles used in packed beds

lower sphericity ==> larger surface area
As,
Vs
Fixed bed
Specific surface area
= Ap /Vp
Minimal value for sphere

Some books use S to denote area (instead of A)
Assume all the particles are identical
==> all particles have exactly same specific surface area
Rings (Raschig,etc)
Tarus saddle
Pall Ring
Fixed bed
What is the pressure drop we need, to force the fluid through

the column?
(i.e. what should be the pump spec)
We know the volumetric flow rate (from adsorption equations,

productivity requirements etc)
We know the area per particle (we assume all particles are
identical). And the total area for adsorption (or reaction in
case of catalytic reactor).
Hence we can calculate how many particles are needed
Given a particle type (eg Raschig ring) , the approximate void
fraction is also known (based on experimental results)
Fixed bed
What is void fraction?

Volume of reactor = VR
Number of particles = Np
Volume of one particle = Vp
Volume of all the particles = Vp * Np = VALL-PARTICLES
VVOIDS
VR
V V N
R P P
VR
Void fraction
VR VALL PARTICLES
VR
Knowing void fraction, we can find the reactor volume

needed
Alternatively, if we know the reactor volume and void fraction

VR 1
NP
and the Vp, we can find the number of particles
V
P
Fixed bed
To find void fraction experimentally

Prepare the adsorption column (or reactor....) and fill it
with particles
Fill it with water
Drain and measure the quantity of water
(= void volume)
Calculate void fraction
Fixed bed
Since we know Vp, Np, , we can find VR

Choose a diameter and calculate the length (i.e. Height) of the
column (for now)
In normal usage, both the terms height and length may be used
interchangeably (to mean the same thing)
Adsorption rate, equilibrium and other parameters will also influence
the determination of height & diameter
To calculate the pressure drop
Note: columns with large dia and shorter length (height) will have
lower pressure drop
What can be the disadvantage(s) of such design ? (tutorial)
Fixed bed
To calculate the pressure drop

You want to write it in terms of known quantities
Length of column, void fraction, diameter of particles, flow rate of fluid, viscosity
and density
Obtain equations for two regimes separately (turbulent and laminar)
Consider laminar flow
Pressure drop increases with

velocity
viscosity
inversely proportional to radius
Actually, not all the reactor area is available for flow. Particles
block most of the area. Flow path is not really like a simple tube
Hence, use hydraulic radius
Fixed bed - pressure drop

calculation (Laminar flow)
To calculate the pressure drop, use Force balance
Force P Area
D2
Area where flow occurs =
4
D2
Force P
Resistance : due to Shear
Find Contact Area

Find shear stress
Force Contact area
Until now, we havent said anything about laminar flow. So the above equations are valid for both
laminar and turbulent flows

calculation (Laminar Flow)
Find contact area

Wetted Area= N p Ap
r R
r 2
V Vmax 1 2
R
=VR 1
Vp
Vmax 2Vavg
Here V refers to velocity for flow in a tube

2 Vmax 4 Vavg
R
R
Vp
Ap
Ap
To calculate the shear stress, FOR LAMINAR FLOW

dV

dr
VR 1
8 Vavg
D
However, flow is through bed, NOT a simple tube

Find effective diameter (i.e. Use Hydraulic radius), to substitute

in the formula
Also relate the velocity between particles to some quantity we
know
To find hydraulic radius ( and hence effective dia)

Flow volume VR
Wetted Area= N p Ap
VR 1
Vp
Hydraulic diameter
DH 4
Flow Area
ContactPerimeter
Ap
Flow Area * Column Height

ContactPerimeter * Column Height
4
Flowvolume
wetted area

DH
4
Ap
1
V
p
8 Vavg
DH
Ap
V
p
2 Vavg 1
Vavg is average velocity of fluid in the bed, between particles
Normally, volumetric flow rate is easier to find
Ap
V
p
8 Vavg 1

Can we relate volumetric flow rate to Vavg ?
Use a new term Superficial velocity (V0)
Volumetric flow rate

V0
Column Area
V0
Q
D2
I.e. Velocity in an empty column, that will provide the

same volumetric flow rate
Can we relate average velocity and superficial velocity?
Vavg
V0

Ap
V p
2 Vavg 1
Force balance: Substitute for etc.

D2
Force P
4
D2
P
Ap
V p
2 V0 1
Force Contact area
Ap
V
p
2 V0 1
Ap
VR 1
V p
Volume of reactor (say, height of bed = L)

2
Ap
2 V0 1
V p
D2
D2
L
2
4 July 2005-Dec 2005
4
IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer:
2
D2
VR
L
4

2
Ap
2
V
1
V D2
0
D2
p
L
2
4
4
2
Pressure drop
P
Ap
V p
Specific surface area vs average diameter

Ap
V
p
2 LV0 1
Define average Dia of particle as
Some books (BSL) use Dp
Dp
6
Ap
V p

Pressure drop
6
2 LV0 1
2
D p
72 LV0 1
D p 2 3
However, using hydraulic radius etc are only approximations

Experimental data shows, we need to multiply the pressure requirement by ~ 2 (exactly 100/48)
In terms of average particle diameter
150 LV0 1
In terms of specific surface area
D p 2 3
Ap
V
p
25 LV0 1
2
6 3

calculation (Turbulent Flow)
Pressure drop and shear stress equations

D2
Force P
Force Contact area
Only the expression for shear stress changes
For high turbulence (high Re),
f
=constant
1 V 2
2 avg
2
=constant 1 Vavg
2
However
Vavg
V0
Re
V02
=K 2

We have already developed an expression for contact area

Wetted Area= N p Ap
VR 1
Vp
Ap
=VR 1
Ap
Vp
Hence, force balance

D2
Force P
Contact area
4
V02
K 2

Ap
VR 1
V
p
Volume of reactor (say, height of bed = L)

D2
VR
L
4
V02
P K 3

Ap
L 1
V p

In terms of average particle diameter
V02
P K 3

In terms of specific surface area
6
L 1
D p
V02
P K 3

Ap
L 1
V p
Value of K based on experiments ~ 7/24
What if turbulence is not high?
Use the combination of laminar + turbulent pressure drops: valid for all regimes!
PLaminar
Ptotal
150 LV0 1
150 LV0 1
D p 2 3
Dp
2
7 LV02 1
4 D p 3
PTurbulent
7 LV02 1
4 D p
Ergun Equation for

packed bed
Fixed bed - pressure drop calculation

(Laminar OR Turbulent Flow)
Ptotal
150 LV0 1
D p 2 3
7 LV02 1
4 D p 3
Ergun Equation for

packed bed
If velocity is very low, turbulent part of pressure drop is

negligible
If velocity is very high, laminar part is negligible
Some texts provide equation for friction factor
1 V 2
2 avg
laminar turbulent
f
1 V 2
2 avg
f
Ap
2 V0 1
2
V p
7 V0
2
2
24
1 V 2
2 avg

Ap
2 V0 1
2
V p
K V0
2
2
2
1 V0 2
2
Ap
V p
7
V0
12
4 1
For pressure drop, we multiplied the laminar part by 2 (based on

data) . For the turbulent part, the constant was based on data anyway.
Similarly...
A
4 1 p
V p
100
7
48
V0
12
Ap
V p
7
3V0
12
25 1

Ap
Vp
7
3V0
12
25 1
6
25
D p 7
3V0
12
Multiply by 3 on both sides (why?)

150 1
7
3f
D p V0
4
150 1
7
3f
D p V0
4
Packed bed friction factor = 3 f

150 1
fp 3 f
1.75
Re p
Eqn in McCabe and Smith
Reynolds number for packed bed

Example
Adsorption of Cephalosporin (antibiotic)

Particles are made of anionic resin(perhaps resin coatings on ceramic
particles)
void fraction 0.3, specific surface area = 50 m2/m3(assumed)
column dia 4 cm, length 1 m
feed concentration 2 mg/liter (not necessary to calculate pressure drop, but
needed for finding out volume of reactor, which, in this case, is given ). Superficial
velocity about 2 m / hr
Viscosity = 0.002 Pa-s (assumed)
What is the pressure drop needed to operate this column?
Fixed Bed
What is the criteria for Laminar flow?

D pVo
Modified Reynolds Number
1
Turbulent flow:- Inertial loss vs turbulent loss
Loss due to expansion and contraction
Packing uniformity
In theory, the bed has a uniform filling and a constant void fraction
Practically, near the walls, the void fraction is more
Ergun Eqn commonly
used, however, other
empirical correlations are
also used
e.g. Chilton Colburn eqn
A
B
f
n C
Re Re
0.8
0.4
0.2
Edge
Center
Edge
Fixed Bed
Sphericity vs Void Fraction
~0.4
Fixed Bed
Alternate method to arrive at Ergun equation (or similar correlations)

Use Dimensional analysis
P dependent variable
( with out subscript, means fluid density or f )

D p , L,Vo , , Dcolumn , , (i.e. sphericity)
2
D pVo D p
P D p
f(
,
, , )
2
Vo L
Dcolumn
Fluidized bed
When the fluid (moving from bottom of the column to the top)
velocity is increased, the particles begin to move at (and above) a
certain velocity.
At fluidization,
Weight of the particles == pressure drop (area)
Remember to include buoyancy
D2
P
s f 1 VR
4
D2
s f 1
L
4
Fluidized bed: Operation
Empirical correlation for porosity
V
n
Vt
Types of fluidization: Aggregate fluidization vs Particulate

fluidization
Larger particles, large density difference (SOLID - FLUID)
==> Aggregate fluidization (slugging, bubbles, etc)
==> Typically gas fluidization
Even with liquids, lead particles tend to undergo
aggregate fluidization
Archimedes number
Ar
g f D 3p
Porosity increases
Bed height increases
Fluidization can be sustained until terminal velocity is reached
If the bed has a variety of particles (usually same material, but different
sizes)
calculate the terminal velocity for the smallest particle
Range of operability = R
Minimum fluidization velocity = incipient velocity (min range)

Maximum fluidization velocity = terminal velocity (max range)
Other parameters may limit the actual range further
e.g. Column may not withstand the pressure, may not be tall enough etc
R = Vt/VOM
Theoretically R can range from 8.4 to 74

80
Range of operation depends on

Ar
40
100
104
Ar
108
Criteria for aggregate fluidization

Semi empirical
D p
2
s
0.5
0.6 ( for liquid )

0.3 ( for gas )
Particulate fluidization
Typically for low Ar numbers
More homogenous mixture

Fixed Bed and Fluidized Bed

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Fixed Bed and Fluidized Bed

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Fixed bed and fluidized bed

Ref: BSL, McCabe & Smith

Why fixed (or fluidized) bed?

Used in reaction/adsorption/ elution (for example)

Goal: Expression for pressure drop, try some

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Filled with particles

To increase surface area

To decrease pressure drop

For analytical calculation, assume all particles are

Usable, because final formula can be modified by a

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

What are important parameters?

rate of adsorption (faster is better)

From the product requirement (eg X kg per day),

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Assume quick adsorption (rate of adsorption is high)

Sphericity <=> specific surface area <=> average particle diameter

Surface Area of particle = Ap

Surface Area of sphere of same volume (Vs =Vp) = As

May be around 0.3 for particles used in packed beds

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Specific surface area

Minimal value for sphere

==> all particles have exactly same specific surface area

What is the pressure drop we need, to force the fluid through

(i.e. what should be the pump spec)

We know the volumetric flow rate (from adsorption equations,

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

What is void fraction?

Volume of one particle = Vp

Volume of all the particles = Vp * Np = VALL-PARTICLES

Knowing void fraction, we can find the reactor volume

Alternatively, if we know the reactor volume and void fraction

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

To find void fraction experimentally

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Since we know Vp, Np, , we can find VR

To calculate the pressure drop

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

To calculate the pressure drop

Pressure drop increases with

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Fixed bed - pressure drop

Resistance : due to Shear

Find Contact Area

Force Contact area

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Fixed bed - pressure drop

Find contact area

Here V refers to velocity for flow in a tube

To calculate the shear stress, FOR LAMINAR FLOW

However, flow is through bed, NOT a simple tube

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Fixed bed - pressure drop

Find effective diameter (i.e. Use Hydraulic radius), to substitute

To find hydraulic radius ( and hence effective dia)

Flow Area * Column Height

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Fixed bed - pressure drop

Vavg is average velocity of fluid in the bed, between particles

Normally, volumetric flow rate is easier to find

IIT-Madras, Momentum Transfer: July 2005-Dec 2005

Fixed bed - pressure drop